ESD application timing after severance - can I file exactly on termination date?
Hey Washington folks! My employer laid me off in March but they're giving me severance pay through May 17, 2025 (tomorrow), which they're considering my official termination date. I'm confused about when EXACTLY I can submit my initial ESD application. Can I file tomorrow on my termination date? Or do I need to wait until the day after (May 18th)? I've got bills coming due next week and don't want to delay even by a day if I don't have to. Also wondering if having received severance will complicate my claim? Thanks for any insight!
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Emma Davis
You can actually file your initial claim on your termination date! The system will allow you to submit the application on May 17th. Just be 100% honest about your severance when filing - you'll need to report those payments. ESD will calculate any adjustments needed based on your severance, but getting your claim in the system is the most important first step. Don't wait until the 18th.
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Javier Torres
•That's such a relief! I wasn't sure if I needed to wait until technically unemployed for a full day. Will definitely report all severance payments accurately. Do you know how quickly I might start seeing benefits after filing? I know there's that waiting week...
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CosmicCaptain
DONT LISTEN TO BAD ADVICE!! My buddy filed on his last day and got DENIED because the system flagged him as still employed!!! Wait until at LEAST midnight after your last day!!! ESD's system is GARBAGE and will use ANY excuse to deny you!!!
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Malik Johnson
•This is incorrect information. The ESD system allows you to file on your termination date. The question asks specifically about your LAST day of work, not when you file. Your friend likely had other issues with their claim that caused the denial. Please don't spread misinformation that could cause people unnecessary delays.
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Isabella Ferreira
i filed day of termination last yr it was fine. but OMG be super specific about ur severance $$$$ they will ask u like 50 questions about it and if u get anything wrong they put u in adjudication hell for weeks lol. make sure u have exact $ amounts and dates for everything
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Javier Torres
•Thanks for the heads up! I've got all my severance paperwork together with exact amounts. Hope that helps avoid any adjudication issues.
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Ravi Sharma
Here's exactly what you need to know as a former ESD claims specialist: 1. You can file on your termination date (May 17th) 2. Your claim effective date will be the Sunday of the week you file (May 11th if filing on the 17th) 3. You MUST report your severance as income for the weeks it covers 4. The system will likely determine if your benefits should be reduced for those weeks 5. You still need to do your weekly claims even during weeks you received severance Also - start doing your job search activities immediately after filing. You need 3 per week and this requirement catches many people off guard.
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Freya Thomsen
•Severance is so confusing! When my company laid me off last month they paid out my PTO in a lump sum but called it something else in the paperwork. Should I report that as severance or regular wages or something else entirely? I'm worried I'll mess this up when I file next week.
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Ravi Sharma
To answer the question about PTO payout - that should be reported separately from severance. ESD's filing system has a specific question about PTO/vacation payouts. It's treated differently than ongoing severance payments. Make sure to have the exact amount and date of the PTO payout.
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Omar Zaki
Like everyone says, file on your last day! But a warning - be prepared for adjudication anyway. I reported everything perfectly and STILL got stuck in adjudication for 6 weeks with zero income. Kept calling ESD and couldn't get through to anyone. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual agent instead of waiting on hold forever. They have a demo video if you want to see how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Got my issue resolved in one call after weeks of frustration.
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Javier Torres
•Oh wow, 6 weeks in adjudication sounds awful! I'll keep that Claimyr option in mind if I run into problems. Thanks for the tip. Did they explain why you got stuck in adjudication even with accurate reporting?
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Omar Zaki
•Yeah, turned out my employer reported my last day incorrectly to ESD (one day off from what I reported). That tiny discrepancy triggered automatic adjudication. The ESD agent fixed it in minutes once I actually got through to someone. So frustrating that such a small thing caused so much delay!
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AstroAce
my cousin got laid off in january with severance and she said make sure u file for the correct BENEFIT YEAR too. i dont know exactly what that means but she said its important lol. something about if u worked for multiple employers u need to pick the right timeframe?
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Ravi Sharma
•Your cousin is referring to the base year, which is important, but not something you choose yourself. ESD automatically calculates your base year as the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before your claim. This determines what wages are used to calculate your benefit amount. The system handles this automatically based on your filing date.
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Javier Torres
Thank you all for the helpful advice! I'm definitely going to file tomorrow (my termination date) and make sure to accurately report my severance. I've got all my documentation ready and will start job search activities right away. Really appreciate everyone's insights - this community is amazing!
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